Device for attaching a garment top to a conventional garment bottom and garment top with attaching device

ABSTRACT

The elastic garment top has an interior surface, and a lower portion with a bottom edge adapted to overlap the upper portion of a conventional garment bottom of the type having an exterior loop for a belt. A device extends from the interior surface of the garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge of the garment top for engaging the belt loop or belt on the exterior of the garment bottom. The device encircles the belt loop or the belt. The device may be a fabric strip one end of which is attached to and extends from the interior surface of the garment top. The free end of the strip is removably attached to the interior surface of the garment top by snaps, or by hook and loop ribbon. Alternatively, first and second tie strings may be used to engage the belt loop or the belt.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority is claimed on provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/641,048 filed May 1, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to garment tops such as camisoles and tank tops made of elastic material intended to compress and shape the upper body, including the waist, and more particularly to a device for attaching the interior of a garment top to the belt loop or belt on the exterior of a conventional garment bottom, such as pants or a skirt, to prevent the garment top from riding up the body as the body moves, and to a garment top with such a device.

2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Camisoles, tanks and other style garment tops formed of elastic material such as SPANDEX®, commonly referred to as “shape wear” intended to compress and shape the body, particularly the waist, are well known in the art. However, such garment tops have a common drawback inherent in the use of the elastic material. They tend to ride up the body to expose the skin and/or underwear of the wearer, as the body is moved, for example as the wearer sits, bends, stretches or squats. As a result, the wearer must periodically pull the lower portion of the garment down to a position in which it aligns with, encircles and shapes the waist and hips.

Various types of devices have been employed to anchor the bottom of a garment top to the underwear or inside of garment bottom to avoid this problem. For example, silicone gripping material has been situated under the hem of the garment top to hold the garment top in place. However, silicone has not provided an adequate solution to the problem because the silicone does not grip the garment bottom with sufficient strength to overcome the movements of the wearer, and as a result the garment top still tends to ride up the body.

Various other attaching devices have been tried but require that the garment bottom be modified in one way or the other to function. None of those devices are capable of use with conventional garment bottoms, such as pants or skirts, without modification of the garment bottom.

None of the known attaching devices are designed to extend from the interior surface of a garment top and are capable of engaging a belt loop or belt situated on the exterior of a conventional garment bottom.

Further, none of those devices is capable of attaching the interior surface of the garment top to a conventional garment bottom to keep the garment top in place relative to the garment bottom, in a manner in which the device is completely hidden from view and therefore does not detract from the appearance of the shape wear, while allowing the full length and hem of the garment top to be exposed, over the garment bottom.

It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, such that the device prevents the garment top from riding up the body as the wearer moves.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching an elastic garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, wherein the device retains the lower portion of the garment top in place relative to the garment bottom so that the lower portion of the garment top encircles and compresses the waist and hips of the wearer.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, wherein the device may be used with any conventional garment bottom, without modification of the garment bottom.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, wherein the device extends from the interior surface of the garment top and engages the belt loop or belt on the exterior of the garment bottom.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, wherein the device is formed at least in part of elastic material.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, wherein the device is completely hidden from view.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, wherein multiple devices may be provided in a single garment top to accommodate different style garment bottoms.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, wherein the device is aligned with the belt loop on the garment bottom.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, wherein the device includes conventional fasteners such as snaps, hook and loop strips or tie strings.

It another object of the present invention to provide a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom and a garment with the attaching device, wherein the attaching device is simple, easy to use and inexpensive.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above noted objects are achieved by the present invention which relates to a garment top having an interior surface and a lower portion with a bottom edge adapted to overlap the upper portion of a conventional garment bottom. The garment bottom is of the type having an exterior loop for a belt. The garment top includes means extending from the interior surface of the garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge of the garment top for engaging the exterior of the garment bottom.

The engaging means includes a device for encircling the belt loop or belt. The engaging device may include a strip one end of which is attached to and extends from the interior surface. The strip includes means for removably attaching the free end of the strip to the interior surface of the garment top, which may take the form of a snap, or sections of hook and loop ribbon.

Alternatively, the engaging device may take the form of tie strings attached to and extending from the interior surface of the garment top.

The interior surface of the garment top may include a side seam. The engaging device preferably extends from the side seam. The garment top includes means for attaching the engaging device to the side seam, such as stitches.

A second engaging device may extend from the interior surface of the garment top. The second engaging means is aligned with the first engaging device. The second engaging device may be adjacent to or spaced from the first engaging device.

Preferably, the engaging device substantially aligns with the belt loop on the garment bottom. The garment top may be used with a garment bottom in which the belt loop is spaced from the centerline of the side of the garment bottom.

Preferably, the engaging device is formed at least in part of elastic material.

The garment top is preferably formed at least in part of elastic material. The elastic material may be Spandex®.

The engaging device is attached to the interior surface of the garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge. Preferably, the point of attachment is spaced from the bottom edge by a distance greater than the length of the engaging device. Thus, the entire engaging device is situated beneath the lower portion of the garment top and hidden from view.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a device is provided for attaching the interior surface of a garment top having a lower portion with a bottom edge to the upper portion of a conventional garment bottom. The garment bottom is of the type having an exterior loop for a belt. The device extends from the interior surface of the garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge for engaging the exterior of the garment bottom.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a garment top formed at least in part of elastic material is provided. The garment top has an interior surface with a side seam and a lower portion with a bottom edge adapted to overlap the upper portion of a conventional garment bottom. The garment bottom is of the type having an exterior loop for a belt. The garment top includes elastic means extending from the interior surface of the garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge of the garment top for engaging the exterior of the garment bottom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to a device for attaching a garment top to the exterior of a conventional garment bottom, and a garment top with such an attaching device, as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a women wearing an elastic garment top with the attaching device of the present invention, the figure including a cut-away portion showing the engaging device encircling the belt of a garment bottom;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a women wearing an elastic garment top with the attaching device of the present invention, the figure including a cut-away portion showing the engaging device encircling the belt loop of a garment bottom;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the cut away portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interior surface of the garment top of the present invention showing two engaging devices in the form of elastic fabric strips with snaps, in the closed position, attached to and extending from the side seam of the garment top;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 but showing the lower elastic fabric strip in the open position, as well as align snaps on the interior surface of the strip and on the exterior surface of the seam of the garment top;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior surface of the garment top of the present invention showing two engaging devices in the form of elastic fabric strips with hook and loop ribbon fasteners, attached to the side seam of the garment top; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the interior surface of the garment top of the present invention showing two engaging devices in the form of sets of tie strings spaces along and attached to the side seam of the garment top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the figures show the invention as it would be used on garments intended for use by women, it should be understood that the present invention can be used on men's garments as well and that the present invention should not be limited to garments designed for use by any particular gender. This is particularly important because shape wear garments designed for men have recently become popular and the popularity of men's shape wear is likely to increase.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a woman wearing a garment top 10 in accordance with the present invention. The garment top is preferably at least partially made of elastic material, for example SPANDEX® and has a lower portion 12 and a hem 14. Lower portion 12 of the garment top is intended to surround the waist and hips of the wearer to compress and shape the waist and hips. However, the present invention will work with garment tops which are made of fabrics other than elastic fabrics.

The woman in FIG. 1 is also wearing a conventional garment bottom which in this figure takes the form of pants 16. Pants 16 have several belt loops 18 spaced around the exterior of the waist portion thereof. A belt 20 is situated through belt loops 18 and around the waist of the wearer. The lower portion 12 of garment top 10 is intended to overlap the upper portion of pants 16.

As is best seen in FIG. 4, the interior surface 22 of garment top 10 has engaging devices in the form of two elastic fabric strips 24 and 26 attached to and extending from a side seam 28 of the garment top. Each strip 24, 26 can be sewn to the garment top by stitches 28, 30, respectively, as illustrated. However, any conventional technique for permanently attaching one end of each fabric strip to the interior surface 22 of the garment top many be used. Further, while it is preferred to attach the engaging devices to a seam of the garment top, the engaging devices can be attached anywhere on the interior surface 22 of the garment top.

In this embodiment, the strips 24, 26 which form the engaging devices are aligned with and adjacent to each other. Two or more engaging devices are provided to accommodate different style garment bottoms, such a low-rise jeans or high-waist skirts, with belt loops situated at different positions. Further, the engaging devices are attached to the interior of the garment top at a position which is spaced from hem 14 at a distance at least as great as the length of the engaging devices such that lower portion 12 of the garment top will hide the engaging devices when it is held in place by the engaging devices.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the under surface of strip 24 carries a snap 34 which aligns with and engages a snap 36 fixed to the seam. Similar snaps are provided for strip 26 but are hidden in this figure. When the snaps engage, the fabric strip forms a loop which is intended to encircle the belt loop or the belt on the exterior of the garment bottom.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the cut-away portion of FIG. 1. It shows in greater detail how elastic fabric strip 24 engages belt 20.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of a woman wearing the tie string embodiment of the invention in which tie strings (shown in greater detail in FIG. 7) made of elastic fabric replace the fabric strips. Otherwise, the garment top 10 with its lower portion 12 and hem 14, and the garment bottom 16 with its belt loops 18, remain the same. Belt 20 is not shown in this figure. In this embodiment, the tie strings are tied together around one of the belt loops 18, as shown in the cut-away portion of the figure.

In FIG. 2, it should be noted that the seam 32 and the tie strings are aligned with belt loop 18, which is offset from the centerline of the side of the garment top by a short distance. This is because many conventional garment bottoms have belt loops which are offset from the centerline of the side of the garment bottom.

FIG. 6 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the engaging device which in this figure takes the form of elastic fabric strips 38 and 40 which utilize hook and loop ribbon sections 42, 44 and 46, 48 respectively, to attach the free end of each strip to the adjacent side seam to form a loop.

FIG. 7 illustrates the tie string embodiment of the engaging device of FIG. 2 in greater detail. In this embodiment, the engaging devices take the form of pairs of tie strings 50, 52 and 54, 56, spaced along the side seam 32. The tie string pairs are tied around the belt or around the belt loop of the wearer to attach the interior surface of the garment top to the exterior surface of the garment bottom.

In use, a wearer would first put the tank or camisole on, either overhead or by stepping into it. Then, lifting the lower portion of the garment top slightly, the free end of the elastic engaging strip is disconnected from the side seam. It is then wrapped around the belt or around belt loop of pant or skirt, and the free end of the strip is re-attached to the fastener on the side seam, for a secure hold. The lifted lower portion of the garment top is then place down over the exterior of the garment bottom, around the waist and hips of the wearer, where it will stay. The wearer can select a lower placed engaging device on side seam for use with low rise pants, or a higher placed device for use with high waist pants or skirts, as is required.

The device of the present invention can also be used in swimsuit sets by attaching a tie string on bottom and an inner tie string on tank top. It can be used on jackets to attach to bottoms or exercise wear onto belt loops or belts of exercise shorts, where designs are made with loops, or designs are for both bottom and top and the bottom offers a hooking loop or string device.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to a garment top preferably made in least in part of elastic material and having an interior surface, and a lower portion with a bottom edge adapted to overlap the upper portion of a conventional garment bottom of the type having an exterior loop for a belt. The garment top has means extending from the interior surface of the garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge of the garment top for engaging the belt loop or belt on the exterior of the garment bottom.

The engaging means includes a device designed to encircle the belt loop or the belt. In one embodiment, the engaging device takes the form of a strip one end of which is attached to and extends from the interior surface of the garment top. The strip includes means for removably attaching the free end of the strip to the interior surface of the garment top. That attaching means may include a snaps or sections of hook and loop ribbon fastener. The engaging device may alternatively include tie strings attached to and extending from the interior surface of the garment top.

While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A garment top having an interior surface and a lower portion with a bottom edge adapted to overlap the upper portion of a conventional garment bottom of the type having an exterior loop for a belt, said garment top comprising means extending from said interior surface at a point spaced from said bottom edge for engaging the exterior of the garment bottom.
 2. The garment top of claim 1 for use with a garment bottom adapted to be worn with a belt wherein said engaging means comprises means for encircling the belt loop or the belt.
 3. The garment top of claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises a strip one end of which is attached to and extends from said interior surface.
 4. The garment top of claim 3 wherein said strip comprises means for removably attaching the free end of said strip to said interior surface.
 5. The garment top of claim 4 wherein said attaching means comprises a snap.
 6. The garment top of claim 4 wherein said attaching means comprises a section of hook and loop ribbon.
 7. The garment top of claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises first and second tie strings attached to and extending from said interior surface.
 8. The garment top of claim 1 wherein said interior surface has a side seam and wherein said engaging means extends from said side seam.
 9. The garment top of claim 1 comprising a second engaging means extending from said interior surface.
 10. The garment top of claim 9 wherein said second engaging means is aligned with said engaging means.
 11. The garment top of claim 9 wherein said second engaging means is spaced from said engaging means.
 12. The garment top of claim 1 wherein said engaging means substantially aligns with the belt loop on the garment bottom.
 13. The garment top of claim 12 for use with a garment bottom in which the belt loop is spaced from the centerline of the side of the garment bottom.
 14. The garment top of claim 1 wherein said engaging means is formed at least in part of elastic material.
 15. The garment top of claim 8 further comprising means for attaching said engaging means to said side seam.
 16. The garment top of claim 1 formed at least in part of elastic material.
 17. The garment top of claim 16 wherein said elastic material is Spandex.
 18. The garment top of claim 1 wherein said engaging means is attached to said interior surface of said garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge of said garment top by a distance greater than the length of said engaging means.
 19. A device for attaching the interior surface of a garment top having a lower portion with a bottom edge to the upper portion of a conventional garment bottom of the type having an exterior loop for a belt, said device comprising means extending from the interior surface of the garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge for engaging the exterior of the garment bottom.
 20. The device of claim 19 wherein said engaging means comprises encircling means.
 21. The device of claim 19 wherein said engaging means comprises a strip one end of which is attached to and extends from the interior surface.
 22. The device of claim 21 wherein said strip comprises means for removably attaching the free end of said strip to the interior surface.
 23. The device top of claim 22 wherein said attaching means comprises a snap.
 24. The device of claim 22 wherein said attaching means comprises a section of hook and loop ribbon.
 25. The device of claim 19 wherein said engaging means comprises first and second tie strings attached to and extending from the interior surface.
 26. The device of claim 19 wherein the interior surface has a side seam and wherein said engaging means extends from the side seam.
 27. The device of claim 20 comprising a second engaging means extending from the interior surface.
 28. The device of claim 27 wherein said second engaging means is aligned with said engaging means.
 29. The device of claim 27 wherein said second engaging means is spaced from said engaging means.
 30. The device of claim 19 for use with a garment bottom having a belt loop, wherein said engaging means substantially aligns with the belt loop on the garment bottom.
 31. The device of claim 30 for use with a garment bottom in which the belt loop is spaced from the centerline of the side of the garment bottom.
 32. The device of claim 19 wherein said engaging means is formed at least in part of elastic material.
 33. The device of claim 26 further comprising means for attaching said engaging means to the side seam.
 34. The device of claim 19 wherein the garment top is formed at least in part of elastic material.
 35. The device of claim 34 wherein the elastic material is Spandex.
 36. The device of claim 19 wherein said engaging means is attached to said interior surface of said garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge of said garment top by a distance greater than the length of said engaging means.
 37. A garment top formed at least in part of elastic material having an interior surface with a side seam and a lower portion with a bottom edge adapted to overlap the upper portion of a conventional garment bottom of the type having an exterior loop for a belt, said garment top comprising elastic means extending from said interior surface at a point spaced from said bottom edge for engaging the exterior of the garment bottom.
 38. The garment top of claim 37 wherein the garment bottom is adapted for use with a belt and wherein said engaging means comprises means for encircling the belt loop or the belt.
 39. The garment top of claim 37 wherein said engaging means comprises a strip one end of which is attached to and extends from said interior surface.
 40. The garment top of claim 38 wherein said strip comprises means for removably attaching the free end of said strip to said interior surface.
 41. The garment top of claim 39 wherein said attaching means comprises a snap.
 42. The garment top of claim 39 wherein said attaching means comprises a section of hook and loop ribbon.
 43. The garment top of claim 37 wherein said engaging means comprises first and second tie strings attached to and extending from said interior surface.
 44. The garment top of claim 37 wherein said interior surface has a side seam and wherein said engaging means extends from said side seam.
 45. The garment top of claim 37 comprising a second engaging means extending from said interior surface.
 46. The garment top of claim 45 wherein said second engaging means is aligned with said engaging means.
 47. The garment top of claim 45 wherein said second engaging means is spaced from said engaging means.
 48. The garment top of claim 37 wherein said engaging means substantially aligns with the belt loop on the garment bottom.
 49. The garment top of claim 48 for use with a garment bottom in which the belt loop is spaced from the centerline of the side of the garment bottom.
 50. The garment top of claim 44 further comprising means for attaching said engaging means to said side seam.
 51. The garment top of claim 37 wherein the elastic material is Spandex.
 52. The garment top of claim 37 wherein said engaging means is attached to said interior surface of said garment top at a point spaced from the bottom edge of said garment top by a distance greater than the length of said engaging means. 